o' them on the lug. Syne he made for the Laverfoot and reported."

"Man, Dougal, you've managed fine. Now I've something to tell you,"
and Dickson recounted his interview with the innkeeper. "I don't think
it's safe for me to bide here, and if I did, I wouldn't be any use,
hiding in cellars and such like, and not daring to stir a foot.
I'm coming with you to the House. Now tell me how to get there."

Dougal agreed to this view. "There's been nothing doing at the
Hoose the day, but they're keepin' a close watch on the policies.
The cripus may come any moment. There's no doubt, Mr. McCunn,
that ye're in danger, for they'll serve you as the tinklers tried
to serve us. Listen to me. Ye'll walk up the station road,
and take the second turn on your left, a wee grass road that'll
bring ye to the ford at the herd's hoose. Cross the Laver--there's
a plank bridge--and take straight across the moor in the direction of
the peakit hill they call Grey Carrick. Ye'll come to a big burn,
which ye must follow till ye get to the shore. Then turn south,
keepin' the water's edge till ye reach the Laver, where you'll find
one o' us to show ye the rest of the road....I must be off now,
and I advise ye not to be slow of startin', for wi' this rain
the water's risin' quick. It's a mercy it's such coarse weather,
for it spoils the veesibility."

"Auntie Phemie," said Dickson a few minutes later, "will you oblige
me by coming for a short walk?"

"The man's daft," was the answer.

"I'm not. I'll explain if you'll listen....You see," he concluded,